Powys Council criticises Knighton farmer over lambs' tails

Guy Hodnett, of Brook House, Knighton, appeared before Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week, where he was ordered to pay more than £2,500 in fines, after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The defendant purchased a group of more than 80 lambs in October 2024 and, a month later, when the animals were over six months old, he applied elasticated rings to their tails in order to facilitate tail docking.

Magistrates fined the defendant £403 for the first offence and he was ordered to pay £2,000 prosecutions costs as well as a £161 court surcharge, bringing the total penalty to £2,564.

“Animal welfare is a fundamental responsibility for anyone who keeps livestock and the circumstances of this case are simply unacceptable,” said Councillor Richard Church, PCC’s cabinet member for legal and regulatory services.

“The level of suffering caused to these sheep was entirely avoidable and the actions taken showed a clear disregard for both the law and the wellbeing of the animals involved.

“Our officers work hard to support farmers in meeting their obligations, but where those standards are ignored, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.

“This prosecution sends a clear message that Powys County Council will act to protect animal welfare and uphold the standards that the vast majority of our farming community meet every day.”

Mr Hodnett performed the procedure himself, without seeking any veterinary advice, without the use of anaesthetic, and without administering any form of pain relief afterwards.

Tail docking of sheep is permitted under the Permitted Procedures (Mutilations) (Wales) Regulations 2007, but only under very clear conditions.

Cllr Richard Church said the level of suffering caused to these sheep was "entirely avoidable".

Rubber rings may not be applied to any sheep over seven-days-old, and any sheep over three months of age may only be tail docked by a veterinary surgeon using appropriate pain relief and anaesthesia.

An Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) expert witness concluded that:

• The defendant lacked the basic knowledge, skills, and competency required for the proper care of sheep;
• The application of elasticated rings was unnecessary and caused unnecessary suffering;
• The method used would have subjected the lambs to a prolonged and avoidable period of pain;
• The defendant failed to demonstrate acceptable standards of stockmanship, as required by Welsh secondary legislation;
• His actions resulted in significantly delayed healing, thereby increasing the animals’ pain and suffering; and
• The timing of the procedure, at the end of fly strike season, meant there was no reasonable justification for tail docking.